Limerick and bus?

What are your plans for three days in Killarney and two days in Limerick? Rick's Ireland guidebooks treats these towns more as transportation hubs than destinations, since they're not his favorites (maybe a bit too tourist friendly). www.transportforireland.ie should help to find most public bus and train service, or you can separate them by using www.buseireann.ie for buses and www.irishrail.ie for trains. There can be others, too, like CityLink buses, as well as tourist-oriented bus excursions.

Honestly I'm not a 100% sure! For Killarney I'd like to see the park and town. As for Limerick it was just close to the airport...
Mom and I have kinda said oh we will figure it out once we get there.... it's an emotional trip and mom is having a hard time getting in to it. She never wanted to visit Ireland, but didn't want to send me alone with Grams ashes.. so here we are. As it gets closer I'm starting to feel overwhelmed! This is a trip I had always planned on taking with my Grams, sadly we put it off in 2003 cause I adpoted 2 kids and by the time I was able to leave them to go Grams was affraid to go back because she knew it would be hard for her to leave her homeland.... So my plan then was let her show me around. Now I have to figure it out for myself...

I am sorry for your loss and I hope you and your mother will find some joy in Ireland even though the reason for your visit is sad.

I looked up Glenbeigh and it is a beautiful area in County Kerry and about 41 miles from Dingle. If you have transportation and the time I would spend a few days there. I'm not sure about public transportation, but I have booked a taxi to take me to sites near where I am staying or from one town to the next and the prices seem reasonable. You would not need a car in Dingle if you stay in or near the town. There are also tours you can book to take your around the Dingle Peninsula.

You might consider checking Rick Steves' Ireland book and see what interests you near where you are staying. Killarney has things to do nearby like Muckross House, the National Park, and the Gap of Dunloe to name a few. Also, I would go ahead and book rooms especially if you are planning to stay in Killarney or Dingle. That would be one less stress for you once it is done. Might your relatives give you some advice on where to stay and spend your time?

I have heard that Limerick is safe, but I would not want to spend my time in Ireland in Limerick. Rather you might consider the area around Bunratty Castle as it is close to Shannon Airport. There is a hotel across from a shopping center and Bunratty Castle is a great place to visit. All within walking distance of each other.

I think you have enough time on the ground to scrap the Limerick idea and start over to fill the four days before your flight. and head a little further north, such as to Doolin and/or Galway, with daytrips around the Burren and to the Aran islands. If you have a morning flight, Ennis is close to Shannon airport, or there's a chain hotel at the airport.

You don't have to decide everything in advance, but the more you understand your options before going the easier it will be to decide on the spot.

Thanks everyone!
We have our nights in Killarney booked. We plan on doing the Muckross House, National Park, and the Gap of Dunloe. We also plan on visiting St Mary's.
I'm going to look in to Dingle and Ennis now. I do have a room booked in Limerick, but I have time to change that.